KEY POINTS
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The student sexual harassment law sets prison terms up to 14 years.
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Institutions must create committees to enforce the student sexual harassment law.
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Students and guardians can report violations directly under the student sexual harassment law.
The Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, was passed by the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, marking a significant step against sexual misbehavior in higher education. The law, which punishes instructors who are found guilty of sexually harassing students with jail sentences of up to 14 years, represents a change in the way the country handles crimes that have long been discussed but rarely brought to justice.
Student sexual harassment law
The bill, which was introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele on behalf of Ekiti Central, was described as an attempt to break the “culture of coercion and silence” that has eroded the confidence between students and teachers. According to him, the purpose of the law was to “protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments” while requiring lecturers to uphold their professional ethics and respect for human dignity.
On the Senate floor, Bamidele stated, “This law protects the integrity of the student-teacher relationship, which is based on authority, dependence, and trust.” “It guarantees that no educator will ever exploit that trust as a tool again.” Convicted lecturers are subject to five to fourteen years in prison under the Act, with no possibility of a fine. Less serious offenses are punishable by two to five years in prison without the possibility of penalties.
Liability is expanded by the law to include indirect involvement, such as encouraging or assisting someone in engaging in sexual harassment. Consent is also no longer a defense. An exception can only be made if the parties are legally married.
Enforcement of student sexual harassment law
According to The Guardian, students can now file written complaints directly with the Attorney-General, the Nigerian Police Force, or the Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee of a higher education institution, accompanied by their guardians, family members, or legal counsel. Such a committee must be established by every organization, with the authority to look into and decide complaints. To avoid conflicting jurisdiction, internal disciplinary panels are prohibited from pursuing a case after it has gone to court.
Many of the “sex-for-grades” scandals that have plagued Nigerian schools for years have gone unpunished. The Senate’s move, according to analysts, sends a clear message: a zero-tolerance policy is taking shape in an effort to safeguard pupils and hold teachers responsible. The rule has been hailed by legal experts and student advocates, who point out that it has the potential to drastically alter campus interactions and discourage predatory behavior.
